Journey Of Budget Briefcase To Bahi Khata

Zee Media Bureau
Jan 30, 2024

A Symbolic Departure

In 2019, Finance Minister Sitharaman made headlines by discarding the iconic budget briefcase in favor of the "Bahi Khata," a traditional cloth ledger.

Breaking Colonial Chains

Sitharaman's shift to the Bahi Khata was a deliberate effort to break away from this colonial legacy and embrace India's own cultural symbolism.

Embracing Heritage

The Bahi Khata, a traditional Indian accounting tool symbolizes the country's heritage.

Relatability and Accessibility

By choosing the Bahi Khata, Sitharaman aimed to make the budget presentation more relatable and accessible to the common people.

Focus on Financial Inclusion

The Bahi Khata is often used by small businesses and entrepreneurs which symbolizes financial inclusion.

Tablet and Digital Strides

In a nod to the Digital India initiative, she presented the budget in 2021, 2022, and 2023 using a paperless format with the documents enclosed in a red pouch reminiscent of the Bahi Khata style.

Digital India Initiative

The shift to a tablet was not just a technological choice but a strategic step in support of the Digital India initiative.

Continuity in Style

Despite the move to a tablet, Sitharaman maintained continuity by enclosing it in a red pouch reminiscent of the Bahi Khata style.

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